Sterile plastic shield

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to improvements in protective shields for application to a body surface area in which an infusion needle has been inserted. An embodiment of the invention disclosed herein includes a relatively rigid transparent cup-shaped cover or shield member and a laterally flexible circumferential flange radiating from the open margin of the cover member. Surrounding the interior wall of the cover member is a disinfectant impregnated wick-like member. The flange is adapted for adhesive attachment to the above-mentioned surface area.

[ Jan. 1, 1974 STERllLE PLASTIC SHIELD [75] inventor: Frank .1. Rychlik,Chicago, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc., Chicago,

[22] Filed: Sept. 7, 1971 [21] App]. No.: 177,951

[52] U.S. C1. 128/132, 128/D1G. 6 [51] Int. Cl. A61f 13/00 [58] Field ofSearch 128/132 R, 133, 154, 128/155, 348, 349, 350, 351, 215, DIG. 6

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,443,140 6/1948 Larsen128/154 2,367,690 l/l945 Purdy 128/132 R 3,026,874 3/1962 Stevens128/154 X 3,367,332 2/1968 Groves....l 128/132 R X 2,727,512 12/1955Muller 128/133 3,194,235 7/1965 Cooke 128/132 R 3,528,416 9/1970Chamberlain 128/154 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 641,061 8/1950 GreatBritain 128/132 R Primary ExaminerRichard A Gaudet Assistant Examiner-G.F. Dunne Att0rney-Robert W. Beart et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT The present invention relates generally to improvements inprotective shields for application to a body surface area in which aninfusion needle has been inserted. An embodiment of the inventiondisclosed herein includes a relatively rigid transparent cupshaped coveror shield member and a laterally flexible circumferential flangeradiating from the open margin of the cover member. Surrounding theinterior wall of the cover member is a disinfectant impregnated wicklikemember. The flange is adapted for'adhesive attachment to theabove-mentioned surface area.

2 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures STERILE PLASTIC SHIELD SUMMARY OF THEINVENTION One of the problems inherent in the use of infusion typeneedles, as for example needles employed for intravenous injections, isthat of maintaining the sterility of the needle. It has heretofore beencommon practice to cover the inserted needle with sterile gauze held inplace by adhesive tape. It is an object of the present invention toovercome the problem referred to above by providing a protective coveror shield of the improved, practical design which may be applied as aunit to the body surface area surrounding an inserted infusion needle.

More specifically, the present invention contem plates an improvedprotective shield arrangement of the type set forth above which may beapplied with the utmost ease and facility after a protective peel sheethas been removed therefrom.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a protectiveshield or'cover which will render clearly visible the body surface areain the vicinity of the inserted needle.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a protectiveshield which will not only adhere firmly to the body surface area butwhichwill also maintain said surface area in an antiseptic condition. Tothis end, the invention contemplates the retention within a protectiveshield of means impregnated with an antiseptic solution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The above mentioned and other objectsand advantages will be more clearly appreciated upon consideration ofthe accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protective shield representative ofone embodiment of the present invention disclosed in association with aconventional intravenous needle;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged central sectional view of the protective devicetaken substantially along the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view disclosing the constituent parts of theprotective device in exploded relation;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the protective-shell as seen along the line 44of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view corresponding with theleft portion of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 disclosing the manner inwhich a strip of adhesive tape may be used to further secure theprotective shell in place; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5 disclosing the manner inwhich a pair of adhesive tape sections may be employed as additionalmeans for securing the protective shell against loosening.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawing morein detail wherein like numerals have been employed to designate similarparts throughout the various figures, it will be seen that oneembodiment of the present invention is a protective devicedesignatedgenerally by the numeral 10. The device 10 includes a shallowcup or shield section 12 preferably formed of a relatively rigidtransparent plastic sheet, commonly referred to in the packaging fieldas a protective blister. Extending radially outwardly on the open marginof the cup 12 is a laterally flexible flange l4. Permanently attached tothe under surface of the flange 14 is a double-faced or doublesidedpressure sensitive sheet 16. The outer margin of the pressure sensitivesheet 16 is shaped to conform with the outer margin of the flange I4 anda central aperture 18, FIG. 3, conforms with the shape defined by theinner margin of the flange.

Snugly retained within the shield 12 is a rectangularly shaped porousmember 20 defining a central aperture 22. The member 20 may be formed ofwick like or resil: ient foam material which has been impregnated with asuitable disinfectant. A peel sheet 24, FIGS. 3 and 5, is adhered to andsuperimposes the entire underside of the combined shield 12, flange 14and impregnated member 20. The sheet 24 thus serves to seal the interiorof the shield against contamination and may be peeled away from theunderside of the adhesive sheet 16 just prior to the application of theprotective device 10 to a body surface 26, FIG. 2.

The above described protective device 10 may be applied to body surfaceareas in the vicinity of a previously inserted infusion needle such as aneedle 28. It should be understood that the flange I4 is readilyflexible laterally and when pressed over the needle 28 said flange willyieldably impinge the periphery of the needle over a substantial portionof its circumferential extent. In other words, the flange 14 willsealingly impinge the periphery of the infusion needle 28. Thedisinfectant within the member 20 also functions to maintain the sterilecondition of the needle as well as the body surface in the vicinitypierced by the needle. In FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, the body to which theprotective device 10 is applied is indicated by dot and dash lines 30.In instances where it is deemed desirable, a strip of adhesive tape 32may be employed as an auxiliary fastening device, FIG. 6, to furthersecure the protective shield and flange against dislodgment. Also, asillustrated in FIG. 7, a pair of adhesive tape strips 34 may be employedalong the opposed margins of the flange 14. A vent 50 may be provided inthe shield section 12 to assure proper ventilation and to permit theegress of gases which may develop within the shield. It will also beunderstood that the shield should be placed in such a manner as topermit observation of the body area surrounding the inserted needle.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the above describedprotective device functions effectively to maintain contamination freean infusion needle as well as the body surface area surrounding saidneedle. The peel sheet cooperates in preventing evaporation of thedisinfectant with which the member 20 is impregnated and in fact insuresthe sterile condition of the entire interior of the shield or cup. Theease with which the protective device may be applied and subsequentlyremoved will also be apparent from the foregoing description. Theprotective device contemplated hereby may be produced very economically.It will also be apparent that the above described protective device hasa very practical application in instances where a su tured area, such asmight result from an operation, should be observed. Thus, the sterilewindow of the protective device contemplated by the present inven' tionmay be used in place of a bandage after bleeding of a wound has ceased,thereby precluding the repetitive removal of bandages in observing thecondition of the wound.

The Invention is claimed as follows:

1. A protective shield for application to a body surface area in whichan infusion needle has been inserted through a puncture in the bodysurface, including a relatively rigid shallow cup-shaped cover memberadapted to be superimposed over said surface area wherein said punctureis inwardly of the periphery of said cup shaped cover member, acircumferential, laterally flexible flange extending outwardly from andintegral with the open margins of said cover member, a double-facedpressure sensitive, centrally apertured adhesive sheet permanentlyadhered to the under side of said flange, an imperforate protectivesheet detachably adhered to the other side of said adhesive sheet, saidprotective sheet being removable from said adhesive sheet withoutimpairing the adhesiveness of the latter, the lateral flexibility ofsaid flange being such as to permil impingement thereof with asubstantial circumferential extent of an inserted needle at a pointradially outwardly of said puncture whereby to preclude contaminationand unauthorized dislodgment of said needle, and a member impregnatedwith disinfectant positioned within said body adjacent to the inner wallsurface of said cup-shaped cover member, said member impregnated withdisinfectant having an aperture formed therein defining a centralcavity, and providing said member at all locations about the innerperiphery with a width sufficient to be adapted to overlie and coversaid puncture.

2. A protective shield for application to a body surface area as setforth in claim 1 wherein the shallow cup-shaped cover member istransparent whereby to render visible the body surface area in thevicinity of an inserted infusion needle.

1. A protective shield for application to a body surface area in whichan infusion needle has been inserted through a puncture in the bodysurface, including a relatively rigid shallow cup-shaped cover memberadapted to be superimposed over said surface area wherein said punctureis inwardly of the periphery of said cup shaped cover member, acircumferential, laterally flexible flange extending outwardly from andintegral with the open margins of said cover member, a double-facedpressure sensitive, centrally apertured adhesive sheet permanentlyadhered to the under side of said flange, an imperforate protectivesheet detachably adhered to the other side of said adhesive sheet, saidprotective sheet being removable from said adhesive sheet withoutimpairing the adhesiveness of the latter, the lateral flexibility ofsaid flange being such as to permit impingement thereof with asubstantial circumferential extent of an inserted needle at a pointradially outwardly of said puncture whereby to preclude contaminationand unauthorized dislodgment of said needle, and a member impregnatedwith disinfectant positioned within said body adjacent to the inner wallsurface of said cup-shaped cover member, said member impregnated withdisinfectant having an aperture formed therein defining a centralcavity, and providing said member at all locations about the innerperiphery with a width sufficient to be adapted to overlie and coversaid puncture.
 2. A protective shield for application to a body surfacearea as set forth in claim 1 wherein the shallow cup-shaped cover memberis transparent whereby to render visible the body surface area in thevicinity of an inserted infusion needle.